Stabilization of hydrogen peroxide solutions



. Patented Mar. 19, 1935 V 3' r r M "1,995,063 7 v i V STABILIZATION or HYDROGEN PEEOXIDE SOLUTIONS Charles Roberts Harris and John Louis Fahs, Niagara Falls, N. Y; assignors to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, 1110., Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application'october 21, 1932, Serial No. 638,916 7 r 14 Claims. (01. 23-251) This invention relates to a method for the samples were. analyzed to determine hydrogen stabilization of hydrogen peroxide solutions. peroxide decomposition. The results obtained Various substances, for instance organic amino were as follows: compounds, tannic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic,

5 phthalic, barbituric, and gallic acids, cinchon- Stow H decom Used 5 idine,- p-acetylaminophenol, gums, alcohols, sfifi Mb i alumina and metallic compounds, have been pro- 7 posed as stablhzers for hydrogen peroxide solu- Hyamqmmnq 340 days 038% tlons. It likewise has been shown that certain g q 164 y Less than l0 methods ofpurification produce a solution which mm ydmqmmne 67 days detectable 10 possesses increased stability. However, some of p r the proposed stabilizers possess disadvantages for Certain advantages are obtained by the use of although they may effect temporary stability of our stabilizers over those previously used. The the hydrogen peroxide they are not satisfactory amount of foreign matter introduced by our stafor stabilizing the solution for long timeperiods, bilizer is so small that it would not be likely to in- 15 for instance one year. Likewise some stabilizers terfere with any uses for which the peroxide either introduce an objectionable deposit or immight be required; hydroquinone is completely part color. to "the solution being stabilized. In miscible with hydrogen peroxide in the proporsuch cases the presence of color or a precipitate tions used, and no insoluble precipitate is formed,

detracts from the value of the product. as with the use of certain inorganic stabilizers. 20

This invention has as an object the stabiliza- By the use or this new class of stabilizers it is tion of. hydrogen peroxide solutions. A further possible to store hydrogen peroxide solutions for object is the addition of substances to hydrogen prolonged periods with minimum decomposition, peroxide solutions which retards decomposition and with little if any harmful effects upon the for long periods of time, and which imparts value of the product. I g 25 neither color nor insoluble residue to the solution. In the appended claims, the term para-di- Other objects will appear hereinafter. hydroxy benzene compound is used to designate These objects are accomplished by the addition hydroquinone and any derivative thereof having of small amounts of hydroquinone, or one of its para-hydroxylradicals, as hereinbefore defined.

derivatives, to the hydrogen peroxide solution. We claim: V 30 The stabilizer is added in amounts equal to from 1. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen perox- 0.001 to 0.1% of the total weight of the hydrogen ide solution comprising adding thereto a paraa peroxide solution, with apreferred concentra di ydroxy benzene compound, in stabilizing tion of from 0.01 to 0.02%; amounts. v

By hydroquinone derivative we mean any 2. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen per- 35 compound consisting of a benzene ring with oxidesolution comprising adding thereto Stabihydroxy groups in the para positions, with one lizing amounts of hydroquinone. or more of the nuclear hydrogen atoms substi- 3. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen pertuted by other elements or groups of elements. xide So u Comprising addin thereto 3-001- 40 Examples of this class of compounds are: ch1or- 0.1% by weight of apara-dihydroxy benzene com- 40 hydroquinones, bromhydroquinones, hydroxy pound.

hydroquinones, and hexahydroxy benzene. '4. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen per- The following example serves to illustrate some oxide solution comprising adding thereto from methods of practicing our invention: r 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of hydroquinone. 5 5. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen perm oxide solution comprising adding thereto from To separate samples of a 30% hydrogen perox- 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of a hydroquinone derivaide solutionabout 0.02% by weight of hydrotive. quinone, chlorhydroquinone, and bromhydro- 6. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen perquinone were added. These samples were stored oxide solution comprising adding thereto about 50 in clear glass unstoppered bottles covered with 0.02% by weight of a hydroquinone derivative. glass beakers to exclude dust, for various pe- '7. The method of stabilizing a hydrogen perriods of time in a place where they were exposed oxide solution comprising adding thereto about to difiused daylight at room temperature. At 0.02% by weight of hydroquinone. the end of their respective storage periods, the 8. Acomposition of matter comprisinga hydro- 55 gen peroxide solution containing stabilizing 12. A composition of matter comprising a hydrogen peroxide solution containing 0.001-0.1% of a hydroquinone derivative.

13. A composition of matter comprising a hydrogen peroxide solution containing about 0.02% of hydroquinone.

14. A composition of matter comprising a hydrogen peroxide solution containing about 0.02%

of a hydroquinone derivative.

CHARLES ROBERTS HARRIS. JOHN LOUIS FAHS. 

